Entry requirementsStandard Entry The programme is demanding and is designed to stretch the intellectual, communication and personal capabilities of those who are selected and also to build upon their professional practice experience. Normally, applicants will be required to have at least a 2.2 classification undergraduate degree or an equivalent professional qualification with professional practice experience in a subject area agreed as appropriate by the Programme Leader. Applicants with other qualifications and relevant professional practice experience will be considered on merit by the Admissions Tutor, but should demonstrate at least 5 years’ full-time experience in a relevant industrial context at a professional level. Admissions procedures normally include an interview for home students. Applicants whose first language is not English should provide evidence of their competency in spoken and written English by the submission of an acceptable English test certificate, e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC or equivalent.
Project management is an exciting and effective management strategy which presents challenging opportunities to the ambitious design and construction management professional. The applied skills and competencies of a building design and project manager are necessary for the successful realization and completion of complex construction projects, particularly within the ever-changing context of the construction industry. This programme is aimed at those looking for the management skills required to progress towards senior management positions within design- and construction-related organizations, particularly internationally-driven design-and-build contracting companies. These skills include knowledge and understanding of design and construction communication, organization and innovative construction practice and concepts: both at a strategic level and in design and construction project team management.
This programme provides the opportunity to study in two European Union member states with students from all over the world, thereby enjoying a distinctly international flavour. The programme comprises three taught semesters and a fourth semester for the dissertation (2 academic years of full-time study). The first two semesters are spent at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden and starts in August / September. The third semester is spent at Northumbria. The fourth semester is dedicated to your dissertation, which can be completed either in the UK or in Sweden. The total length of the programme is two academic years. The whole programme is taught in English. On completion, the successful graduate will receive the Masters Design and Construction Project Management award from Chalmers University of Technology and the MSc Construction Project Management award from Northumbria University. The completion of a study programme that itself crosses borders has proved to be a perfect prerequisite for international building design and project management careers.
Students enrolled on the dual award programme will study the following core Level 7 equivalent modules at Chalmers University of Technology:
* Building in Society
* Project Management
* Managing Architectural and Construction Firms
* Construction Contract Relationships
Students enrolled on the Construction track will study the following elective Level 7 equivalent modules at Chalmers University of Technology:
* Design Processes and Management
* Construction Processes and Management
* Leadership and Communication
* Risk Management
* International Projects
* Environmental Management
While students enrolled on the Design track will study the following elective Level 7 equivalent modules at Chalmers University:
* Design Processes and Management
* Project: Sustainable Development or Architecture
* Nordic Architecture
Construction and Design track students will then study the following Level 7 modules at Northumbria University:
The Construction Project Management Dissertation module, which can be studied at either Northumbria University or Chalmers University of Technology, builds upon the concepts and theories presented during the Applied Research Methods module. The module requires students to further develop, consolidate and apply research skills that are expected from a postgraduate student when investigating a relevant issue. Students are required to undertake a piece of analytical, reflective academic research that results in the production of an original 20,000-word Masters dissertation relevant to the core philosophy of the dual award programme.
BE0938 Applied Research Methods (CORE, 10 Credits)
BE1018 Project Management (Process and People) (CORE, 20 Credits)
BE1037 Project Delivery (CORE, 20 Credits)
BE1103 Project Sustainability (CORE, 10 Credits)
COURSEWORK AND ASSESSMENT
The assessment of the learning outcomes of individual modules reflects the varying subject-related needs of those modules, and focuses upon the relationship between theory and professional practice. The dual award programme consists of 180 Level 7 (or equivalent) credit points of taught modules and 60 Level 7 credit points from the Construction Project Management Dissertation module. The taught modules are assessed by a combination of examinations, assignments, time-constrained assignments and presentations.
ACCREDITATION
It is anticipated that the MSc Construction Project Management programme at Northumbria University becomes an integral part of the School's University Partnership Agreement with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Furthermore, it is anticipated that the programme will become an integral part of the School's Accredited Centre Status with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Graduates from the programme would be exempt from the RICS's and CIOB's membership examinations when full accredited status is awarded.
CAREERS
This is an ideal international postgraduate programme for graduates who want to progress within building design project-based industries. It is ideally suited to relatively new graduates with restricted work experience and also highly experienced practitioners. The programme may be followed to enhance existing career opportunities or as preparation for further postgraduate study, i.e. Ph.D. Demand for managers who can demonstrate the skills to effectively management design and construction projects, particularly international projects which cross borders, continues to grow both nationally and internationally. Indeed, opportunities for a varied, well-paid, challenging and international career are significant.